Author Interview: Etienne Nguyen Tan Hon:

Etienne Nguyen Tan Hon was born in Hanoi (Vietnam). He came to France at 19 and started to travel around Europe after his University graduation. He has spent 20 years to travel in China and Asian countries. After a long career as Attorney at Law in France, he became software designer for the passion of drawing and painting. He successfully launched several art and painting applications on iOS and Android platforms.

Hello Etienne and welcome onboard!

Your real name and pen name?

You are actually reading my real name. 

Please share some of the best memories of your childhood

When I was 7 or 8, I felt very strong when racing against my father, because I always beat him. In fact, years later I discovered that he was a funny guy, and intentionally slower his speed and let me arrive first every time. 

I also remember the long days walks with friends through the green and wild Vietnamese countryside. I used to participate to these hikes quite frequently.

About your education

Nothing really specific: I have studied economy and law in Paris. After my university graduation, I had the choice to teach law or to embrace a police officer career. And finally, I prefer to become an independent Attorney.

What languages you can speak and write?

English, French and Vietnamese.

What is your biggest source of inspiration in life

Nature and children.

What hurts you most in this world

War.

Lycee de Vientiane 1968

What is the biggest challenge you have faced? How did you overcome it?

To get lost and starving. I was rescued by people.

If you had to live a day of your life as one of the living or dead personality, who would it be and why?

Nelson Mandela. Because, he was able to fight for his people's freedom with his mind and interior strength. 

When did you start writing? What is the purpose of your writing?

My first book was published in 1995 (I'm not sure about the exact month) on the new bankruptcy legislation in Vietnam. Nothing really exciting, but very technical and prospective. 

Writing helps you to fix your mind in a clear and logical way. My purpose is less transmitting some feelings to the readers than showing that things can be done without pain if you take the right approach. Then anything is possible with a strong motivation.

What are your forthcoming writings?

I'm preparing a book about Western calligraphy. Especially about the Gothic Calligraphy. The history, development, and maybe the coming obsolescence.  

What four top most things you take care of while writing a book?

Documentation. Demonstration. Illustration. Reading again and again your work.

How much real life goes into a fiction writing?

There's no fiction writing in fact. Real life is projected, embellished and transformed by the author. Fiction writing is a mix between ethnology, anthropomorphism and imagination. 

Is high level of imagination important to have for an Author?

Imagination is tightly linked to an author's work. A talented author has the ability to bring you to where and how he (or she) wants, with a high degree of demonstration science and unexpected ways of thinking.

Your dream destination on Earth?

The steppes of Inner Mongolia.

with the Prince Sixte Henri de Bourbon Parme

Your origin of birth and other countries you have visited/ stayed. What best things you liked in these countries around the globe?

I find really interesting to observe the different ways people accomplish the same action. Let me give you some examples. 

Driving a car: besides driving on the left or the right hand, you can observe how the driver manages the gears. How people deal with traffic jam, etc... 

Cooking: this is a vast subject. For example, there are at least a dozen ways to simply cook rice.

Your zodiac/ sun sign?

I'm Tiger in Chinese astrology, and Scorpio sun sign. 

Your favorite book and why?

The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. Why ? First, because it gives sometimes completely suicidal advices, and second, because everybody has read and applied it quite mechanically, like a recipes book. It's then so easy to guess the mind of people reading this book.

Your favorite food?

Sashimi.

The last line of your autobiography would be…

The next life will be mine. I'm tired to live by procuration.

Links:

Twitter handle: @etienneNTH

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/drawontablets

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00JMIN800?*Version*=1&*entries*=0